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gosh...well theres been so much since i last wrote...
first of all, i note the ever-present fear here regarding the current economy...so many out of work and many more predicted for next year...such a shame that this had to happen while i was here...although the favourable interest rate on my coming here (which surely predicted the times ahead) is not to be sneezed at...
finish up work as a team secretary/marketing assistant in early november...will be interesting to see what the employment market is like out there...who knows - may have to bail early (god forbid)...see how we go eh...
on to nicer things...commencing with the meeting and greeting of first cousins once removed and second cousins living around henley-on-thames...
went for a drive with them through oxford - beautiful town - will have to go back there...then onto blenheim palace for a somewhat kid-centric outing...home of the dukes of marlborough, i thought the touristy bits a little tacky compared to the other palaces/castles ive seen and would not recommend a sightseeing trip there...a couple of things stood out like the wall tapestries and painted ceilings and walls...amazing work...but rubbish (non-authentic/touristy) furnishings in general...the gardens were not nearly as beautiful as hever castle for example either...winston churchill was born there though (accidentally as a premmy) and proposed to his wife...
apres (with an accent) that was dawn french and jennifer saunders live...would say this show was half-half funny/average...we were not aided by the balcony seats which (contrary to many london theatres) were very far back at drury lane, albeit cheap, and necessitated the use of the token binoculars to see the ants on the stage...however the well-know skits from ab fab and vicar were good as well as others i was not familiar with...i do think dawn is adorable...i hope to be that jolly at her age...may have been better with more understanding of british people humour (i didnt know all the celebrities they made jokes about!) and greater awareness of their other shows...note to self: do NOT book balcony seats for oliver! at the same theatre...
ah...then the royal ballet! FABULOUS! 10 pound seats in the lower slips at the royal opera house...restricted view but this did not matter except for the odd bit at the far back of the stage...swan lake...odette was STUNNING! a face full of expression, amazing pirouettes (to a novice) and limbs/flexibility which truly expressed a swan...the set was amazing...inspired by faberge, it had gorgeous colours (rainbow colours) and the costumes were to die for...the royal philharmonic orchastra was incredible and im looking forward to my opera visit in better seats in december...uplifting experience...
finally phantom of the opera...its been playing here for years but theres no sense of tiredness...how does one do that time and again? i guess its a job eh ;p (best still is les miserables here though...grease and dirty dancing didnt really cut it other than aesthetics, and sound of music was ok - im so old skool)...the phantom was wretched, powerful and loveable (we always like the bad boy, dont we girls, to our detriment ;p) christine was AMAZING...again full of expression and beautiful voice...the set was great with a volatile chandelier and a movement of the phantom around the theatre...guess it shows the experience of the show...
on to more amazement in the near future...bring it on!!!!!! who knows what chrissy and the new year may hold!
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